Description
1897 C.F. Martin Style 5 Bowl Back Mandolin – First Ever Made – Includes documentation.
This is the very first Style 5 bowl back mandolin ever made by Martin. This mandolin has good provenance and documentation coming from both C. F. Martin & Co. and Gruhn Guitars. The serial number is hot branded into the interior-side of the neck block. The serial number is 149, and it is the earliest recorded number for a Style 5 mandolin in Martin’s register/ledger (see pictures). It was made in 1897, which is one year before it first showed up in the Martin catalog.
This is a rare instrument, and because it is the first one made, it is literally one-of-a-kind.
The mandolin is absolutely stunning to look at and it sounds equally beautiful. The Style 5 is arguably the most ornate and fancy of all of the Martin mandolins of this time. The back of the head is stamped “Martin”, and the original paper label is inside the sound hole.
It features:
- French polish finish
- Engraved metal hardware
- Solid spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and mahogany neck
- 32 rib back
- Pearl button tuners
- Ebony bridge
- Top binding comprised of alternating blocks of white pearl and tortoise
- Bounded fingerboard
- Tree of life inlaid fingerboard
Some items of interest with this mandolin:
- The original case disintegrated and a hardshell case was acquired in 1970.
- The fingerboard was replaced at some point in its long history by Martin.
- There is a repaired crack on the top board. There are minor abrasions on the bowl back, and tarnish on the bridge.
- There are two letters (2011 and 2022) from Gruhn Guitars describing the instrument and its value
- There are several Martin letters included.
- There is a letter from Martin (2007) which included a copy of their ledger showing it listed.
- There is an invoice from Martin in 2007, showing minor setup work.
- There was one owner of the Martin from 1970 – 2024. Prior ownership is not known.
The sale of this mandolin includes the case and all documentation.
Free shipping in the Continental United States. Shipping available outside the Continental US.
Return Policy
Overview
Our refund and returns policy lasts 14 days. If 14 days have passed since your purchase, we can’t offer you a full refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it and it must be returned within 14 days of your purchase. It must also be in the original packaging.
To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted:
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error.
- Any item that is returned more than 14 days after delivery
Refunds
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days. There will be a 3% return fee deducted from the original amount. For example, if the purchase price was $100, you will receive $97.Â
Late or missing refunds
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us.
Sale items
Only regular priced items may be refunded. Sale items cannot be refunded.
Exchanges
Exchanges are not offered on returns.
Shipping returns
To return your product, you should mail your product to the address on your product box, or contact us for a return address.
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
Shipping insurance must be obtained on returned items. You may want to consider using a service that offers shipment tracking.
We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Need help?
Contact us for questions related to refunds and returns.
Shipping Info (Free Shipping)
FREE SHIPPING IS AVAILABLE ON THIS ITEM.
All sold guitars are handled and shipped within 2 days of purchase. For most deliveries in the United States, we use UPS.
Packing process:
- Guitar is inspected
- Strings loosened
- Neck and head wrapped and supported
- Body wrapped and supported
- Inserted into guitar case (if sold with guitar)
- Inserted into box
- Taped/sealed
- UPS pickup
